Louisiana Upholds Anti-Sodomy Law

Louisiana voted in favor of preserving an unconstitutional anti-sodomy law, saying it protects minors from assault and upholds morality

The Louisiana State House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to reject a state Democrat’s attempt to repeal an anti-sodomy law, enshrining the anti-gay measure in the state’s books.

State Representative Patricia Smith sought to amend Louisiana’s crimes against nature law by removing a prohibition on consensual relations between people of the same sex, the Associated Press reports. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled a similar Texas law unconstitutional a decade ago.

State Representative Valarie Hodges, a Republican, led opponents of Smith’s measure, who said the law protects children and upholds morality. The State House voted 66-27 in favor of rejecting the repeal.

Smith brought the repeal bill after Baton Rouge-area police officers arrested gay men using the law. They were unable to charge the men because the district attorney said the law was not enforceable.